Peel Recreational Fishing Guide

Fisheries Compliance Unit July 2021 Fishing is a fun, outdoor activity for the whole • angler facilities such as fish cleaning tables family. Fishing rules help ensure healthy and and fishing platforms; sustainable fisheries for future generations. • stocking of freshwater fish in and rivers; The Peel district boasts a tremendous variety of • essential research on popular recreational fish waterways from which to choose. Situated on a species; sub-alpine plateau, typically over 600m in elevation, the waterways range from large dams • building artificial reefs to create new fishing and fast running mountain streams to slower locations; lowland rivers in the valleys. • fish aggregating devices (FADs) to enhance Situated in the district are the large dams of Keepit, fishing for dolphinfish and even tuna and Chaffey, Splitrock and Glenbawn. These dams marlin; provide excellent fishing and are regularly stocked • with Bass, Murray Cod, Golden and Silver Perch. creation of recreational fishing havens; • DPI fisheries officers routinely patrol waterways, restoring important fish habitat; boat ramps and impoundments to advise anglers • marine stocking of prawns in estuaries; about responsible fishing practices and to ensure • compliance with NSW fishing regulations. angler education and advisory programs such as the Fishcare Volunteer program, fishing Information on bag and size limits and legal fishing workshops, Get Hooked…it's fun to fish gear can be obtained at primary schools education and fishing guides. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries or by visiting your local DPI fisheries office. Much more information is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries. To report suspected illegal fishing activity, call the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 (free You can pay the NSW recreational fishing fee at call) or report on-line at www.onegov.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/compliance/report- 365 or at many outlets throughout NSW, such as illegal-activity. All calls will be treated as most fishing tackle stores, caravan parks, local confidential and you can remain anonymous. shops, service stations and many Kmart stores. Some exemptions apply to paying the fishing fee, RECREATIONAL FISHING FEE including people under the age of 18, holders of pensioner concession cards and Aboriginal people. When fishing in NSW waters, both freshwater and For further information on exemptions go to saltwater, you are required by law to pay the NSW www.dpi.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 4424 7499. recreational fishing fee and carry a receipt showing the payment of the fee. This applies when spear You may not need to pay the NSW recreational fishing, hand lining, hand gathering, trapping, bait fishing fee if you are fishing on a charter boat, hire collecting and prawn netting or when in possession boat or under the supervision of a fishing guide. of fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters. Please check with the charter/hire boat operator, or guide, before you go fishing. If they do not hold a All money raised by the NSW recreational fishing recreational fishing fee exemption certificate you fee is spent on improving recreational fishing in will need to pay the NSW recreational fishing fee. NSW. Projects include:

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Peel Recreational Fishing Guide

RECREATIONAL FISHING Macleay River (Upper Reaches). The following waters are closed to nets of every description other CLOSURES than the landing net: the Macleay River and its A number of fishing closures exist in the Peel area. tributaries, from Belgrave Falls, Kempsey These exist for a variety of reasons, from public upstream to its source. health and safety to preserving unique aquatic Manning River (Upper Reaches). The following environments. The majority of these closures are waters are closed to nets of every description other signposted and penalties apply for not complying than the landing net: the Manning River and its with fisheries rules and regulations. tributaries, from Abbotts Falls near Wingham upstream to its source. Total fishing closures All methods of fishing are prohibited in the Hunter and Patterson Rivers (Upper Reaches). following waters. The following waters are closed to nets of every description other than the landing net or a shrimp Manilla Weir (Figure 1). The following waters are net: the waters of the Hunter and Paterson Rivers closed to the taking of all species of fish by all and their tributaries, on the Hunter River upstream methods of fishing: the within 50 m from the railway bridge crossing at Oakhampton to upstream and 50 m downstream of the weir face of its source and on Paterson River upstream from the upper Manilla Weir (at Chaffey Park). Gostwyck Bridge near Martins Creek to its source.

Figure 1. Manilla Weir Seasonal Closures – Trout Waters General Trout Streams The following waters are general trout streams and are closed to the taking of all species of fish by any method, from the Tuesday after the June (Queen’s Birthday) long weekend until midnight on the last Friday before the start of the October (Labour Day) long weekend (inclusive) in each year. The following methods are permitted during the fishing season: one attended rod and line with not more than 2 hooks attached and with not more than 3 treble hooks, or 3 double hooks, attached to any lure; and a landing net used for retrieval of fish lawfully taken. Aspley River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Tia River. Keepit (Figure 2). The following waters are closed to the taking of all species of fish by all Barnard River, its creeks and tributaries upstream methods of fishing: the Namoi River within 150m from its junction with, and including Gulf Creek. downstream of the weir face at . Carters Brook, its creeks and tributaries upstream Figure 2. Keepit Dam from its junction with, and including, Stewarts Brook. Cooplacurripa River, its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, the Mummel River. Dungowan Creek (Figure 4) and its tributaries upstream from the road crossing near Ogunbil Station.

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Figure 6. Horton River Figure 4. Dungowan Creek

Hunter River (Figure 7), its creeks and tributaries upstream from its junction with, but not including, Pages Creek. MacDonald River (Figure 8), its creeks and Moonan Brook and its tributaries upstream from tributaries upstream of the New England Highway its junction with, but not including, the Hunter road bridge at Bendemeer. River. Myall Creek and its tributaries upstream from its Mulla Mulla Creek and its tributaries upstream junction with, and including, Tuggolo Creek. from its junction with, but not including, the Cockburn River.

Gwydir River upstream of Torryburn road Figure 7. Hunter River bridge (Figure 5) and its creeks and tributaries.

Figure 5 . Gwydir River upstream of Torryburn road bridge

Nowendoc River (Figure 9), its creeks and tributaries upstream from Nowendoc Falls. Omadale Brook and its tributaries upstream from its junction with, and including, Polblue Creek. General Trout Dams The following waters are general trout dams. These waters are open to fishing all year round. Horton River (Figure 6) upstream from its junction When fishing in general trout dams, up to two with, and including, Cut Road Creek and its creeks attended rods each with a line may be used with and tributaries not more than 2 hooks per line or no more than 3

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hooks per line, where those hooks are artificial flies or lures. An artificial fly or lure is considered to be a single hook. Bait fishing is permitted. A landing net may be used as an ancillary for retrieval of fish lawfully taken.

DAM TOWN

Sheba Dams Nundle

NOTE: When taking Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in general trout streams and dams the maximum quantity that a person may take on any one day is 5 and the maximum quantity that a person may have in their possession is 10, consisting of any single species or a combination of species.

Species Restrictions Freshwater Catfish cannot be taken by any method in all western flowing waters including the backed up waters of western impoundments, except the backed up waters of the following impoundments; , , , , Keepit Dam, , , and . River Blackfish cannot be taken by any method in any NSW waters. Figure 8. MacDonald River Australian Bass and Estuary Perch. During the period May to August (inclusive) each year Australian Bass and Estuary Perch can only be taken by catch and release fishing in any NSW waters except impoundments and the waters of rivers above impoundments. Silver Perch cannot be taken by any method in any NSW waters except the backed up waters of the following impoundments: Ben Chifley Dam, Burrendong Dam, Chaffey Dam, Copeton Dam, , , , Hume Weir, Jounama Pondage, Keepit Dam, Lake Albert, Lake Wyangan, Pindari Dam, Split Rock Dam, Windamere Dam, Wyangala Dam and Yass Weir. Murray Cod cannot be taken during the period 1 September to 31 November, except Copeton and Blowering dams. Murray or Spiny Crayfish. There are several species of Spiny Freshwater Crayfish in Northern

NSW. Whilst they may be targeted by fishers, size Figure 9. Nowendoc River and bag limits apply. It is prohibited to take Spiny Freshwater Crayfish from designated trout waters.

GENERAL FRESHWATER FISHING RULES • Lines. Two attended lines are permitted in all non-tidal waters other than in some trout

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waters. Attended lines must be within 50m, in fish that do not have a legal length. You may your line of sight, and have no more than 2 clean fish by gilling and gutting only. hooks per line with up to 3 treble hooks • It is illegal to use a setline, hand held lines, attached to any lure per line other than in traps, nets, a light, your hand or a gaff unless some trout waters. A lure is considered a otherwise stated. The use of salmon roe or single hook. products containing them is also prohibited.

• Setlines are not permitted. • You cannot use any chemical or explosive devices to take or assist to take fish. • Traps and nets. You may use up to 5 pyramid • The use and/or possession of gaff hooks in any lift nets or hoop / lift nets or a combination of inland (non-tidal) waters is prohibited. both and 1 shrimp trap other than in trout waters where the use of traps and nets is • It is illegal to jag/foul hook fish other than prohibited (except when using up to 5 hoop through the mouth. nets in Googong Dam or Lakes Lyell, Wallace, Eucumbene or Jindabyne to take yabbies). Fishing safely

• Bowfishing. In March 2021 DPI released a Fishing is fun, but remember to take care and discussion paper seeking public feedback for a exercise caution. Follow these basic safety tips: proposal to legalise bowfishing for carp species in • Observe first, fish later. Always check weather specified inland waters where it is currently and water conditions before you start fishing prohibited. For more information go to • Never fish alone and always inform others of https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0 your fishing plans 006/1292658/discussion-document-bowfishing-for- carp-in-inland-waters-of-NSW.pdf. • Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy vest when boat fishing or when fishing in hazardous locations Persons must not set traps or nets for longer than such as those located near areas of fast 24 hours without lifting those traps or nets. Fishers moving water are encouraged to regularly check set fishing gear, to ensure that any unwanted catch is returned to • Wear appropriate non-slip footwear and light the water safely, unharmed. clothing On 30 April 2021 opera house style yabby traps • If someone is washed in or falls into the water, were banned in NSW due to the risk that enclosed DO NOT jump in but look for a life buoy or yabby traps can pose to native wildlife. From that something that floats and throw it to the person date, up to five nets, comprised of either open in the water. Alert emergency services by pyramid lift nets, hoop / lift nets or a combination of dialling 112 from a mobile phone or 000 from a both, can be used to catch yabbies in all inland landline - wait for assistance waters where it is legal to use lift nets For more information on fishing safety go to For Further information on freshwater rules and www.safefishing.com.au regulations visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulati Wader Safety ons Take extra care when wearing waders. Roads and Other Freshwater Fishing Rules Maritime Services recommends that waders should not be used in boats in case of capsize or • It is illegal for recreational fishers to sell their swamping. Basic wader safety tips include the catch. following: • Leave all commercial fishing gear in place and • To restrict the amount of water that can enter do not disturb commercial fishers going about waders, fasten a belt around your waist. This their lawful business. must be as firm as possible but always • You must not alter the length of any species of comfortable. The belt will also trap air inside fish by filleting and/or removing the head whilst and provide some buoyancy but caution is you are in, on or adjacent to the water. This needed as you could end upside down if you rule does not apply at areas normally used for fall into the water. cleaning fish, such as boat ramp cleaning tables, if the fish are for immediate • If you fall into the water immediately assume a consumption or immediate use as bait, or for tuck position, then roll on to your back while

5 NSW Department of Primary Industries, July 2021 Peel Recreational Fishing Guide

keeping the knees tucked. Use your arms to 4 Marsden Park Road balance. CALALA NSW 2340

• Don’t panic, do not try to swim but either tread Phone: (02) 6763 1443 water or float. Web: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries

• If swept into a fast flowing stream always go Check for updates of this Recreational Fishing with the current feet first while working to a Guide at: safe shore position. www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources

Responsible fishing • Observe all bag and size limits as well as any © State of through the NSW Department of Regional other restrictions for the area you are fishing. NSW 2021. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW • Reduce wildlife injuries by attending your lines Department of Primary Industries as the owner. and use environmentally friendly tackle. Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on • Carefully release all undersize or unwanted knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (July 2021). fish and take only what is sufficient for your However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to immediate needs. check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent adviser. • Dispose of all litter and fish waste responsibly. INT16/7517 • Be considerate of others and keep noise to a minimum. Catch and release Catch and release fishing has increased in popularity in recent years. Research has shown that most fish survive using current catch and release fishing techniques. The following improved fishing practices are suggested to maximise fish survival. • If a fish is deeply hooked, do not try to remove the hook, cut the line as close to the mouth as possible and release the fish.

• Barbless hooks can be used to make hook removal easier and minimise injuries to the fish.

• Use fish-friendly landing nets with soft, knotless mesh.

• Minimise the length of time the fish is out of the water.

• Use wet hands or gloves to handle fish before release.

Penalties Penalties apply to persons who take or possess fish taken in contravention of fishing closures.

Further information For more information about fishing restrictions that apply to the Peel District waterways please contact the; Peel Fisheries Office.

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